Indonesia, the world’s second biggest waste producer, adopts a circular economy approach to reduce waste and continue to grow sustainably, which will benefit the environment and create economic opportunities. This approach requires a shift from the use and throw mentality, to one where resources are re-used for as long as possible, through sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products.
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (take, make, waste). It seeks to reduce waste, recovers resources at the end of a product’s life, and channels them back into production, thus significantly reducing pressure on the environment.
Edward Nixon Pakpahan, head, sub-directorate of infrastructure and services, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said Indonesia hopes to use the circular economy approach to reduce waste by 18 to 52 percent by 2030. He predicted by 2030, the circular economy has the potential to generate an additional IDR 593 trillion to IDR 638 trillion for the GDP, 4.4 million new jobs and increase household savings by nine percent.
Saut Marpaung, chairperson, Indonesian Waste Entrepreneurs Association, said based on historical trend, waste is projected to increase every year because there is more public consumption. He said in order to overcome this problem, all stakeholders from government, private sector and citizens, must be on the same page and work toward a common goal.
In an interview October 23 with Maritime Fairtrade, Tommy Tjiptadjaja, advocacy group Greenhope’s co-founder and CEO, said the plastic waste problem is a systemic problem in Indonesia, and the circular economy approach has to be customized to suit Indonesia’s local conditions, like local culture, socio-economic level, waste handling infrastructure, geography and climate complexity. He added for circular economy to work, Indonesia must be using biodegradable plastics, adequate infrastructure like sorting and waste processing facilities, and more importantly, the people’s mindset and behavior must align with circular economy.
The Ministry of Industry wants the petrochemical industry to be more globally competitive by adopting a circular economy approach, for example more use of renewable energy. Ignatius Warsito, director general, Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Textile Industries, said if successfully implemented, this industry showed the most potential for energy savings and efficiency as it is such an energy-intensive industry.
Fajar Budiono, secretary general, Indonesian Olefin Aromatic and Plastic Industry Association, added the government has to give incentives to wean companies off a dependence on raw materials and
All photos credit Iqbal Ramdhani except as stated.
